The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-12-06
TRAINING THE GIRLS,
So That They Will Make Useful
Women.
A GREAT INSTITUTION IN MISSISSIPPI.

respondcnce Constitution. There are more
old Georgians resident in this pleasant and
prosperous little town than you can find any.
where outside Of the state.
1t seems that slice of old Georgia, with
the houses, people and fixtures, has been
bodily transported and planted here right in
the heart of Mississippi. The love for the old
state has not died out yet, but on the contrary
has perhaps grown stronger, and all ideas OF
heaven and better world that these people
have are indissolubly associated with the name
Of Georgia and the memories and recolactions
that linger still concerning their old home.
Il yery place, no matter what its size may be,
has some object or institution that constitutes
the show-place or thing of the town, about
which fingers the affections Of the people, and
to which they point the stranger with pride.
With us in Georgia, Augusta has its canal,
Savannah its Bonaventure, Atlanta its kim
ball house, Athens its university-and, so Co
lumbus has its female college.
Nowhere else in the union is there one just
like it'll
1t seems strange that Mississippi, generally
believed to be backward in many things, should
be first and foremost in educational matters
For the boys, 1t has an agricultural college
that is more successful than any similar insti-
tuition anywhere else, more thorough, more
advanced, more strongly planted III the affec-
tons of the people. With commendable ms
tice, the state has endeavored to do for its
girls what it has already performed for its
boys. Hero in Columbus is an institution for
the practical training of girls, that has no
superior and perhaps no equal anywhere in
the country. Years ago there was in Columbus
female school of small proportions
and operated with varying success. Located
in the center of beautiful grounds, the institu-
ton was operated for the benefit OF the girls of
the town. Three or four years ago, the town
Of Columbus donated fifty thousand dollars to
the institution with the proviso that the state
should take hold of it, and organize and equip
an institution for the practical training of the
girls Of the state, in the same manner as it
aided and controlled the agricultural college.
With the money received from Columbus TO
gether with that donated by the state, the old
wooden building was replaced by an elegant
brick structure capable of accommodating $50
girls. Every modern convenience was placed
in the building, it is heated by steam, lit by
electricity, and supplied with water and gas.
Large engines in the basement supply the steam
for heating purposes and the power for eleya-
tors and laundry. The rooms for recitation
purposes are supplied with every convenience,
and the dormitories are modelsssof simple ele-
gance and comfort. Tuition is free, the object
OF the school being to give to poor girls the
training IN practical arts that Will enable them
TO earn their own living. The basis OF attendance
IS controlled by the proportion OF population
and illiteracy in each county. Scholars are
permitted to attend from any part OF the state
who are able to pay their own expenses, but
go arc given the training at actual cost The
expenses Of board and clothing for a pupil
during the year will not exceed $50, and the
girls reduce this amount largely by doing most
OF their own work, for which they are paid
eight cents per hour. All of the household
work in the large building is performed by the
pupils, save scrubbing and the cleanliness of the
house is simply wonderful. The floors are so
clean that they almost look white, ana the
window panes are as clean as artesian water
that flows fresh from the never ending stream.
In the large dining room where 80 girls
take meals three times per day, there was not
spot or an odor here they do all their work.
details OF a certain number each week per-
form the task of washing the dishes, serving
the meals, and attending to the various ne
cessities of each table For this they are paid
the amount being credited on their board ac-
count. The girls are all obliged
to wear a uniform made in certain
way out OF certain material; those
who perhaps could afford better dress are
nevertheless obliged to conform to the rule.
These uniforms, with hats, do not cost exceed
ing nine dollars, and the girls make them,
those not able to accomplish this having the
work done by others, who get paid for the
service. These uniforms of blue are worn on
all occasions, even on Sunday, when the pu-
pill attends church. Economy and prudence are
taught in every department, and the habits
the training is incalculating in the minds of
the coming women of the state, are simply in
valuable.
An excellent education is afforded the pupil.
They are taught everything that a woman
ought to know, or that will add to her worth,
or adorn and beautify her life. Accomplish
ments are not overlooked, but they are made
secondary to the great work of tho institution
and such things as music, singing, etc, are
taught not us an accomplishment bug as pro-
fession in order that the learner may derive n
comfortable living thereby. Painting
i'll OIL water colors, or china, etc,
work in STEEL brass, and bronze, such
as converting n silver cup into the repoussal
style, or plain piece of tin into a highly orna-
mental bread tray or waiter, are taught those
who desire to learn. Wood carving and indus
trial designing are subjects that large classes
are pursuing, and on the walls are hung
specimens of their work that would do credit
to the practced hand. These pupils design
patterns here for mating oilclothS, etc. that
are readily accepted by The manufacturers.
Dress-making is a particular department, in
charge of a practical teacher, and many dresses
of the gr3nde DANES of the city are made with
in these college walls, the money received go
ing TO the credit of the pupil. Crayon work is
frequently sent here from many places to DO
performed, and the work of charging photo
graphs has grown to he a regular industry. In
the mechanical departments Stenographv
ype-writinG and type-setting are being pur-
sued 10y large number. The other day in the
chanccry court, two Of the girls were sent for
by the chancellor 10 take down certain matter
in shorthand, they did their work with the
Skill and accuracy OF professional stcnogTa-
pher Type-writing machines are daily ma
nipulated Ivy the girls, and the college has Sc
cured employment for many graduates who
devoted themselves 70 that particular industry.
\ college paper OF eight pages is gotten cut
here, every word and letter being set by those
pupils who take this branch of training
In short, there is hardly vocation that
woman can follow without injury TO her repu-
tation or without shock 10 her modesty that
is not practically taught in this institution,
and whlo she is being fitted
with these weapons by which she can earn
n living from the world, she at the same
time is given every accomplishment that can
possibly adom and beautiiy the female char
acter.
Columns could be written about this Won
derful institution. A movement was made in
the last Georgia legislature TO establish an in
Stitutlon of its kind. The state owes il TO the
women Of the state, and if il is ever done no
better model can be found anywhere TO pattern
after and follow than this model institution at
Columbus. Presided over by IR. Jones, a
graduate Of the university of Virginia, and
formerly professor in the university Of Mis-
siSsippi, assisted by an able corps of professors
male and female, the college has already
achieved full measure OF success, and is
daily growing in its power 10 do good, and is
rapidly changing the position of the women Of
Mississippi from one of idle dependence and
suffering to that OF complete independence and
prosperity.
To see 30 girls pursuipr an education that